Mental Wellness / Health Resources
- The CDC offers information on how to protect yourself during COVID-19 and what to do if you think you may be sick.
- Living with Mental Illness during COVID-19? Prepare your Mental Wellness by reading the article from Mental Health America.
- The National Alliance on Mental Wellness (NAMI) updates on COVID-19 frequently. There are a HelpLine and information on warning signs of mental illness at NAMI's website.
- Looking for resources for providers, families, and leaders? The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress has some helpful tips.
- The Search Institute has 10 Tips for responding to fear during COVID-19. Use these tips with youth in your families, schools, and programs by learning more now.
- Mental Health America has resource links for tips for accessing medication during COVID-19 and frequently asked questions about mental health.
- Social support is vital and should still be an important part of your life, even during social distancing. Mental Health America shares suggestions on getting and staying connected in this article about social support.
- Do you have anxiety, suffer from panic attacks or looking for mindfulness exercises? Keep your mind grounded with the following exercises.
- Mental and emotional wellness are important are always important, but especially during uncertain times. Calm has a list of calming music and meditations for free or you can access their app via your smartphone.
- Talking to children about the COVID-19 can be difficult. Child Mind Institute has some advice and a helpful video.
- The National Association of School Psychologists also has a parent resource guide with suggestions on how to talk to your children during this uncertain time.
- Child Mind Institute has an article for "How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids."
- The Why Try Organization has a Parent Guide to help parents build resiliency in their homes.
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has a Parent/Caregiver Guide to help families cope during COVID-19.
- The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress has a list of resources for providers, families, and leaders. Click for the list of fact sheets.
- Looking for ways to manage anxiety and stress? The Centers for Disease Control has a helpful article centered around coping, whos more at risk, and hotlines you can call if you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis.
- Here are some steps for taking care of your emotional health from the CDC.
- National Public Radio (NPR)has 5 tips that can help you regain your calm during COVID-19.
- What is Social Distancing? SAMSHA takes the time to explain and provide helpful tips during social distancing, isolation, and quarantine.
- Are you now working from home? Balancing work and home responsibilities? The Search Institute shares an article about learning to adapt to the new norm of working from home and giving yourself some grace.
- The Depression and Bipolar Alliance now offers online support groups that are peer-led, see the list of support groups today.
- The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has general information about COVID-19 for providers, healthcare workers, and individuals. Stay informed today.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) offers Mental Health Considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Go to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) for Medication-Assisted Treatment resources.
- The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs' PTSD: National Center for PTSD has information on how to manage stress for the community, as well as health care workers during COVID-19.
- Mental Health First Aid has suggestions on "How To Care for Yourself While Practicing Social Distancing."
- Looking for tips on how to support a loved one going through a tough time? Mental Health First Aid has an article with tips to help your loved one during COVID-19. Read related stories on the right-hand side of the website.
- The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers prevention tips, resources, and support to those in need during this outbreak.
- The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has Prevention Tips for how you can practice social distancing and do your part in slowing the spread.
- The Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education says you can reduce your risk of serious lung disease caused by COVID-19 by quitting smoking and vaping, click to read more by UCSF.
Economic Security Resources
- The Virginia Department of Social Services has created the Virginia Child Care Subsidy program for all essential personnel in need of child care.
- Virginia Medicaid has made changes to how they operate during COVID-19, including no co-pays.
- Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance has created a list of resources for businesses and employees. (You will need to embed the following link on the words, “Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance” )
- Commonwealth Connect has identified Free WIFI Hotspot locations across Virginia. A complete list can be found using an interactive Maps tool.
- United Way of Central Virginia is answering calls at the 211 Information and Referral Service. They provide information about community resources and connect people to basic needs assistance and other social services.
- Virginia Department of Social Services is working closely with the governor’s office, the COVID-19 Taskforce, as well as local partners and stakeholders to closely monitor the emergence of COVID-19. Their website provides the most up-to-date information and guidance from the department.
- Looking for assistance with costs associated with delivered food, medication, and diagnostics? Learn more about the COVID-19 Ancillary Costs fund and see if you qualify for assistance.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension has resources to help stretch your budget but still eat smart, especially during these challenging times. Here is a Spending Plan Worksheet you can utilize as well to help the budget.
- Lynchburg Feeds provides information on people and organizations that can help you find something to eat today and free food for your cupboard tomorrow. (You will need to embed the link on the words, “Lynchburg Feeds.”
- Local school districts are providing meals for students. Specific meal distribution schedules and locations can be found at the links below.
Appomattox County Public Schools
Resources for Kids
- Horizon Behavioral Health has created a new blog, 'Get HYPE CVA', complete with substance use related videos and challenges for high-school aged youth on platforms such as Tik Tok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
- Play to Learn Preschool now has weekly Free Virtual Preschool Circle Time.
- Freedom Homeschooling has a list of Virtual Field Trips you can enjoy from the comfort of your home!
- Cool Progeny is offering Operation Story Time online!
- Too Good (For Drugs and Violence) has created Out of School Activities for different grade levels while people are staying home and social distancing.
- Check out PBS Kids for different games, including math games and story games.
- Scholastic has day-to-day projects for children PreK-9th grade including resources for teachers and parents.
- The Smithsonian Learning Lab has millions of digital resources for teachers and parents to access during the new learning challenges that have been presented.
- Go on a Virtual Field-Trip with Discovery Education today, there are no permission slips required.
- LakeShore Learning has more than 1,000 free resources for the home/classroom.
- Here is a large list of Education Companies who are offering free subscriptions during COVID-19.
- GoNoodle is a fun and free virtual opportunity for those both young and wise to get moving, especially while practicing social distancing. It offers dancing, mindfulness, and other activities to promote not only physical wellness but social-emotional as well.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube channel offers not only yoga, but mindfulness and relaxation for kids.
- ABCmouse is offering a free 30-day trial and has full curriculums for children ages 2-8.
- The Cincinnati Zoo has Home Safari videos to meet the different animals who live there. There are also art activities to do as a family.
- SplashLearn offers fun, interactive math games for kids K-5th grade. Parents and teachers can sign up for free.
- Khan Academy has free daily schedules for students ages 2-18 and remote learning resources.
- Team Cartwright offers free STEM activities for Preschools and Toddlers.
- The BusyToddler blog has a realistic schedule during COVID-19 to help parents and students who are both working and learning remotely. There are also fun at-home activities listed as well.
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has provided a Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents list, these include both non-screen time and screen time activities.
- The Inter-Agency Standing Committee has published a free children's book titled "My Hero is You: how kids can fight COVID-19!". The book can also be downloaded in multiple languages.
- Wingspan has developed a new website filled with a wide range of free evidence-based Social-emotional practical tips, activities and resources for parents and kids in early childhood.
- Amazement Square has made available a comic series called The Amazing Adventures of Scorpy Bug which follows the adventures of Scorpy and his buggy friends as they learn about science, math, history, geography, and health.
Substance Use Support Resources
- CVARR has developed a Service Locator Tool to comprised of a continuum of available services relating to substance use frequently accessed by those seeking support in our region.
- SAMSHA has a list of virtual recovery resources available for those who need additional support during this time of social distancing.
- The Partnership for Drug Free Kids has a list of Online and Remote Resources for Addiction Support.
- Looking for an app to help with recovery? Connections is an app that helps support those in recovery.
- Need someone to talk to? Here is a list of WarmLines around the U.S.
- The Partnership for Drug Free Kids offers free and confidential helpline services information on their website.
- The Harm Reduction Coalition has provided COVID-19 Guidance for People Who Use Drugs and Harm Reduction Programs.
- Unity Recovery, a Community Recovery Organization, is now offering free virtual recovery meetings during COVID-19.
- SMART Recovery has tools and discussions to help those in recovery during this outbreak.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is offering online phone meetings. Schedule your meeting today.
- Al-Non Family Groups is also offering electronic meetings. Click to review the Phone Meetings List.
- Alcoholics Anonymous has a list of meeting locations by state.
- Celebrate Recovery has its own YouTube Channel. Some videos include Maintaining Balance in recovery during tough times.
- Friends in Recovery: Genesis House, offers support online via Zoom meetings at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Click the times for the link.
- McShin Recovery Resource Foundation offers free podcasts to support you during COVID-19.
- Here is a list of Narcotics Anonymous meeting sites by state and helplines. NA is also offering virtual meetings, schedule your meeting today.
- Refuge Recovery World Services has now begun offering online support meetings.
- Shatter Proof provides information on maintaining treatment access and virtual recovery support. Check out the online digital recovery resources.
- Looking for an internship or job? The Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist Network has a search engine to help you find what you are looking for.
Local Resource Updates
- Salvation Army of Greater Lynchburg is committed to its mission of serving homeless, hungry, and those in need.
- Centra Health is closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID 19 and has instituted several conservative measures and providing guidance for Centra caregivers as well as our community in preventing the transmission in their facilities and beyond.
- Meals on Wheels is planning to deliver homebound individuals that have very few options meals without interruption.
- Downtown Lynchburg Association encourages citizens to remember small businesses in downtown and throughout the community.
- United Way of Central Virginia is answering calls at the 211 Information and Referral Service. They provide information about community resources and connects people to basic needs assistance and other social services.
- Horizon Behavioral Health is providing multiple options for accessing mental health services for current and new clients during COVID-19. As a safety net provider, they are doing everything possible to support those experiencing increased feelings of stress, anxiety, isolation, and confusion potentially exacerbating mental health conditions.